Interactive method of communicating information to users over a communication network

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an interactive method for communicating data to users ( 1 ) of a communication network ( 3 ). Each user ( 1 ) is provided with a computer equipment ( 2 ) connected to the electronic communication network ( 3 ). The method uses at least a virtual object ( 6 ). Said method comprises the following steps which consist in: distributing, via the communication network ( 3 ), data enabling the computer equipment ( 2 ) to display fixed and/or animated images ( 10 ) and/or to compute screen pages ( 10 ) and display them; distributing, via the communication network ( 3 ), data enabling the computer equipment ( 2 ) to compute the virtual object ( 6 ) and display it by overstriking on the images and/or the screen pages ( 10 ); real remote control of the virtual object ( 6 ) and simultaneous animation thereof by an operator ( 7 ) independent relative to the images and/or the screen pages ( 10 )

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an interactive method for communicatingdata to users of a communications network. In the meaning of the presentinvention, “communications networks” refer particularly to telephonenetworks, telecommunications network or inter-company or intra-companyconnections transmitting sound and/or still backgrounds and/or animatedimages and/or data. Communications network in the meaning of the presentinvention also refers to informational communications networks,particularly of the Internet type.

The inventors have found that the new technologies are leading companiesor organizations to maintain relations with their clients or partners inincreasingly impersonal ways. As technology advances, particularly withthe development of the Internet, relations become impersonal.

For example, when a person enters a store, the most elementary courtesyis to say “Hello” to him, to inquire about his needs and to try to meetthem. On the Internet, this kind of relationship does not exist. Thereare no ways to offer help to users having problems in searching or inusing the information distributed through Internet type communications.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Today a few more or less intelligent automatic systems have come tolight. However, no operator has yet set up a complete system aimed athumanizing relations between operators and users, using the new means ofcommunication, particularly the Internet. No system makes it possible toprovide users with personalized assistance.

The present invention solves this problem by applying a solution that isboth interactive and friendly.

It concerns an interactive method for communicating information to usersof a communications network. Each user (or group of users) has acomputer connected to the communications network. The method makes useof at least one virtual object.

The method comprises the step of distributing data via the network,which enables the computer to display still and/or animated imagesand/or to process screen pages and display them.

The method comprises the step of broadcasting via the communicationsnetwork data enabling the computer to process the virtual object anddisplay it superimposed on the still and/or animated images and/or onthe pages displayed on the monitor.

The method furthermore comprises the step wherein the user and/or anoperator animates the virtual object.

The method furthermore includes a step in which an operator remotelycontrols the virtual object in real-time and animates it in asimultaneous and in an independent manner with respect to the imagesand/or to the display.

Preferably the method furthermore includes the step of capturing anaudiovisual sequence of the user.

Preferably the method furthermore comprises the step of issuing andtransmitting the audiovisual sequence to the operator via thecommunications network.

Thus, the operator can observe the user (or group of users) and analyzetheir actions.

Advantageously, the method furthermore comprises the step of hearing thequestions asked by the user.

Advantageously, the method furthermore comprises the step of issuing andtransmitting to the operator the questions submitted by the user, viathe communications network.

The operator can thus listen to the user (or group of users) and analyzetheir actions.

Preferably, the method furthermore includes the step of hearing thevoice data given by the operator and intended for the user.

Preferentially, the method furthermore comprises the step of issuing andtransmitting to the user the voice information issued by the operatorvia the communications network.

Thus, the user (or group of users) can listen to the informationsupplied by the operator.

Preferably, the method furthermore comprises the stage of issuing andtransmitting to the operator, via the communications network, a copy ofthe still and/or animated image or of the screen displayed by the user.

Thus, the operator can likewise process the still and/or animated imageor the screen displayed by the user (or group of users).

Preferably, the method furthermore comprises the step of assisting theoperator with artificial intelligence (particularly associated withverbal search processes) which can replace him entirely or partially.

Preferably, the method furthermore includes the step of connecting theoperator to at least one data base containing multimedia information,particularly: text, images, sounds, videos, and 3-D animation sequences.

The operator can thus answer questions asked by the user and can sendthe user the information he needs.

Preferably, the virtual object appears in the form of a stylized graphicpersonage in 3 dimensions.

Preferably, the step, for the operator, of controlling and animating thegraphic personage includes the step of animating him to symbolizeparticularly a product, a service, a trademark, a business or anorganization for which the graphic personage has the particular purposeof informing, interesting or selling.

Preferably, the step, for the operator, of controlling and animating thegraphic personage includes the step of providing the graphic personagewith graphic expressions, particularly animation of his lips and eyes,as well as vocal expressions, particularly inflections. The expressionsexpress the reactions of the personage in relation to the action, needsand expectations of the user.

Preferably, the step, for the operator, of controlling and animating thegraphic personage includes the step of shifting him on the fixed ormoving background or on the screen page, the step of changing his size,his shapes and his color, the step of providing him with gestures,movements of the head, the arms and the legs. The factors of mobility,size and gesticulation have a particular relationship to the areas ofthe still and/or animated image or of the screen page and the contextualsituation between the user and the operator for whom the personage isacting.

Preferably, the step, for the operator, of controlling and animating thegraphic personage includes the step of adding accessories, depending onthe unfolding of the contextual situation, by means of which theoperator completes the expressions and the factors of movement, size andgestures.

Preferably, the step, for the operator, of controlling and animating thegraphic personage includes the step of animating the graphic personageto activate the areas of the still and/or animated images and/or screenpages which can be actuated.

Preferably, the operator is located in a call center and/or at his home.It is thus possible to interconnect the human resources and the skillsby assigning them and involving them simultaneously or alternativelywith a number of users.

The invention likewise concerns interactive data communication withusers of a communications network. Each user (or group of users) has acomputer connected to the communications network. The system employs atleast one virtual object.

The system includes a first server connected to the computers of eachuser (or group of users) via the communications network. The firstserver distributes data enabling the computer to display still and/oranimated images and/or to process screen pages.

The system comprises a second server connected to the computer equipmentof each user via the communications network. The second serverdistributes data enabling the computers to process the virtual object.

The virtual object is animated by an operator by means of a controllingcomputer associated with the second server and/or by the user of atleast one control device associated with the computer he has available.The virtual object is remotely controlled in real-time by the operator,by means of the control computer associated with the second server.

The computer of each user includes means for the display of the stilland/or animated screen pages on the one hand, and on the other hand forthe display of the virtual object. The virtual object is displayedsuperimposed on the still and/or animated images and/or screen pages. Onthe one hand, the still and/or animated images and/or the screen pages,and on the other hand the virtual object, are animated simultaneouslyand independently by the first server and by the control computerassociated with the second server.

Preferably, the user's computer is connected to a camera to capture theuser's audiovisual sequence. The user's computer comprises output meansfor transmitting the audiovisual sequence to the operator's controlcomputer via the communications network. The operator's control computercomprises means for displaying the visual sequence.

Thus, the operator can observe the user and analyze what he is doing.

Advantageously, the user's computer equipment is connected to amicrophone to pick up the questions the user asks. The user's computerequipment includes transmission means for transmitting his questions tothe operator's control computer via the communications network. Theoperator's control computer has a loudspeaker enabling the operator tohear the questions asked by the user.

Preferably, the operator's control computer is connected to a microphoneto pick up the voice data provided by the operator and intended for theuser. The operator's computer comprises transmission means to send thevoice data to the user's computer equipment via the communicationsnetwork. The user's computer equipment contains a loudspeaker enablingthe user to hear the voice data transmitted by the operator.

Preferably, the user's computer equipment includes transmission meansfor transmitting a copy of the still and/or animated image and/or thescreen page created by the user to the operator's control computer. Theoperator's control computer contains means for displaying the stilland/or animated image and/or the screen page.

The operator can thus likewise scan the still and/or animated imageand/or the screen page displayed by the user.

Preferably, the operator can be aided by an artificial intelligencewhich can replace him entirely or partially.

Preferably, the operator's control computer is connected to at least onedata base containing multimedia data, particularly text, images, sounds,videos, and 3-D animation sequences.

Thus the operator can answer questions asked by the user and cantransmit to the user the data he needs.

Preferably, the virtual object appears in the form of a stylized graphicpersonage in 3 dimensions.

Preferably, the personage symbolizes particularly a product, a service,a brand, a business or an association for which he performs the serviceof informing, animating or selling.

Preferably, the personage is provided with graphic expressions,particularly of the lips and the eyes, vocal expressions, andparticularly intonations.

His expressions are controlled and produced by the operator and expressthe personage's reactions to the actions, needs and expectations of theuser.

Preferably, the personage controlled by the operator is mobile on thestill and/or animated and/or on the display, is of variable size, shapeand color, performs gestures, particularly head, arm and leg movements.

The movement, size and gesticulation factors are in relationparticularly to the areas of the still and/or animated image and/or ofthe screen page and the contextual situation between the user and theoperator on whose behalf the character is acting.

Preferably, the personage has accessories controlled by the operator inrelation to the situation, by means of which the operator carries outthe expressions and the factors of motion, size and gesture.

Preferably, the personage includes activation means for operating themovable parts of the still and/or animated images and/or screen pages.The activation means are controlled by the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferably, the control computer associated with the second server issituated in a call center and/or in the operator's home. It is thuspossible to co-ordinate the human resources. The control computer isdesigned so that the operator can take part simultaneously oralternatively in a plurality of users.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon readingthe description of various embodiments of the invention, which are givenby way of suggestion without limiting them, namely:

FIG. 1 representing an overall schematic view of the system of theinvention,

FIG. 2 representing the still background as a user will see it, beforethe virtual object is employed,

FIG. 3 representing a still background as a user will see it, during theemployment of the virtual object, and

FIG. 4 representing a still background as an operator sees it, duringthe employment of the virtual object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First of all, FIG. 1 will be described which permits an understanding ofthe operation of the system overall. The term, “user,” refers to thepersonage or personages who interact with the virtual object. Thevirtual object can be a symbolized virtual personage behaving like ahuman being. The term, “operator,” refers to the physical personage orpersonages who perform the operations of animation (initiating actions,displaying visuals, dialog with the user). FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 will offer amore detailed representation of the same still background, as it is seenby a user or by an operator.

FIG. 1 represents an overall view of the system according to theinvention. A user 1 has a computer 2. The computer 2 comprisesparticularly a monitor 2 a, a control device, particularly a mouse 2 bor a key for navigating a menu, a microphone 2 c, a loudspeaker 2 d, anda modem. Advantageously, the computer contains a camera 2 e. Thecomputer 2 is connected to a communications network 3. A first server 4is connected to the computer of user 1 via the communications network 3.The first server 4 issues data enabling the computer 2 to display stilland/or animated images 10 on the monitor 2 a. The still and/or animatedimages 10 come from image servers. They can be particularly screen pages10 originating from servers of Internet sites of any kind. A secondserver 5 is connected to the computer 2 of the user 1 via thecommunications network. The second server puts out data enabling thecomputer 2 to process a virtual object 6 appearing on the display screen2 a of the computer 2. The virtual object 6 is remotely controlled inreal-time by an operator 7 by means of a control computer 8 associatedwith the second server 5. The control computer of the operator 7, likecomputer 2, comprises particularly a display screen 8 a, a controldevice, particularly a mouse 8 b or a key for navigating a menu, amicrophone 8 c, a loudspeaker 8 d. The still and/or animated images 10and the virtual object 6 are animated simultaneously and independently.The still and/or animated images 10 are animated by the first server 4.The virtual object 6 is animated by the control computer 8 associatedwith the second server 5. The computer 2 of user 1 contains transmissionmeans 2 f for transmitting a copy of the still background 10 seen by theuser 1, to the control computer 8 of the operator 7, via thecommunications network 3. The operator 7 sees the still background 10seen by the user 1 on the display monitor 8 a of his control computer 8.The operator 7 can thus scan the still background 10 seen by the user 1.The camera 2 a and the microphone 2 c of the computer 2 of user 1 makeit possible to view an audiovisual sequence of user 1. The transmissionmeans 2 f of computer 2 of user 1 transmits the audiovisual sequencethus detected to the control computer 8 of operator 7 via thecommunications network 3. Operator 7 views the visual sequence on thedisplay screen 8 a of the control computer 8. The operator can thusobserve the user 1 and analyze his actions. The microphone 2 c of thecomputer 2 of user 1 permits the questions posed by user 1 to be heard.The transmission means 2 f of the computer 2 of user 1 transmits thequestions asked by the user 1 to the control computer 8 of operator 7through the data communications network 3. The loudspeaker 8 d of thecontrol computer 8 of the operator 7 enables the operator 7 to hear thequestions asked by the user 1. The microphone 8 c of the controlcomputer 8 of operator 7 picks up the voice data given by operator 7 andintended for the user 1. The computer 8 of operator 7 includes emissionmeans 8 e for transmitting the voice data to the computer 2 of user 1via the communications network 3. Through the loudspeaker 2 d of hiscomputer 2 the user 1 hears the voice data given by operator 7. Thecontrol computer 8 of operator 7 is connected to at least one database9. The database 9 contains multimedia data, especially text, images,sound, videos, and 3D animation sequences. The operator 7 can thusanswer the questions asked by user 1 and can send him the information heneeds. Thus, the operator 7 can not only provide user 1 with assistancein real-time, but also he can send him multimedia data yielded by thedata bases to which he has access.

The computer equipment can also be in the form of a mobile telephone 21or a television camera 22 and its remote control 22 a.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a fixed image 10 such as the user 1 sees itbefore the virtual object 6 is deployed. As it has been mentioned above,this still background 10 is broadcast by the first server 4. In thisinstance a still background 10 broadcast by the Dupont® website is showncontaining data relating to a commercial offer of data processingequipment. The virtual object 6 appears in the form of a stylizedthree-dimensional graphic personage. The personage 6 symbolizes aproduct, a service, a brand, a business or an association for which hehas the mission of informing, promoting or selling. The personage 6 isgiven graphic expressions, especially of the lips and eyes, vocalexpressions, especially inflections. The personage 6 is seen by user 1superimposed on the still background 10. The personage 6 offersassistance to user 1 by means of a textual message 6 a and/or a voicemessage 6 b associated with him, the content of which is, for example:“I am at your service to assist you.” When he is not animated by theuser 1, the personage 6 remains in a waiting position, for example, ashe has been drawn on the right side of the viewscreen 2 a. When hewishes to ask the assistance of the personage 6, the user 1 animates thepersonage 6 with a control means, particularly a mouse 2 b or a key fornavigation in a menu associated with his computer 2. To animate thepersonage 6, the user clicks on a control means, particularly a mouse 2b or a key for navigation in a menu.

FIG. 3 shows the still background 10 as the user 1 sees it when thepersonage 6 has been animated. The personage 6 no longer stays in thewaiting position but begins to move. The expressions of personage 6 arecontrolled and produced by operator 7 and express the reactions of thepersonage 6 to the actions, needs and expectations of the user 1. Thepersonage 6, controlled by the operator 7, is capable of movement on thestill background 10, and is variable in size, shape and color, andprovided with gestures, particularly head, arm and leg movements. Thefactors of movement, size and gesture have a particular relationship toareas of the still background 10 and the contextual situation betweenuser 1 and operator 7 by which the personage 6 is acting. The personage6 has accessories controlled by the operator 7 according to thedevelopment of the contextual situation, by means of which the operator7 carries out the expressions and the factors of movement, size andgesture. It can thus be observed in FIG. 3 that the personage 6 iswearing a hat 6 d in the colors of the Dupont® trademark. Here thepersonage 6, remotely controlled by operator 7, instructs the user 1 inthe procedure to follow to access the “What's New” department of the ®Internet website. Through the communications network 3 and as describedabove, the operator 7 transmits to user 1 the following voice message:“Click on ‘What's New’ just above my hat.” The user 1 is thus invited toclick with a control means, particularly a mouse 2 b or a key fornavigation in a menu 2 b, on the “What's New” link 10 c. The personage 6also has means 6 c for activating the action areas of the stillbackground 10. The term, “action areas,” is understood to mean thehypertext links on the still background or animated image by means ofwhich the user 1 can access the other still and/or animated images ofthe server he is consulting or of other servers of Internet sites. Themeans 6 c are controlled by the operator 7. Thus, in case the user 1does not manage to click by himself on the “What's New” link 10 c, thepersonage 6, remotely controlled in real-time by operator 7, can clickin his place on the link in question, 10 c. The assistance provided tothe user 1 is therefore variable. The operator 7 personalizes it andadapts it to his needs in real-time.

In FIG. 4 there is shown the image 10 as the operator 7 sees it, whenthe personage 6 has been animated. The operator 7 sees on the left sideof his viewscreen 8 a the image 10 which the user 1 sees on hisviewscreen 2 a. The right side of the viewscreen 7 of operator 7 isdivided into two parts. In the upper part is a section 10 a enabling theoperator 7 to observe the image of user 1 captured by the camera 2 e. Inthe lower part is an area 10 b for control of the movements of thepersonage 6. Through this area 10 b the operator 7 sees and controls theanimation which he gives in real-time to the personage 6. Theloudspeaker 8 d enables the operator 7 to hear the questions asked bythe user 1 which are picked up by the microphone 2 c. The interactionbetween operator 7 and user 1 is thus carried on in real-time.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the operator 7 canbe assisted by an artificial intelligence. This artificial intelligence,which can replace him entirely or partially, can advantageously resortto voice recognition techniques. In a case in which an artificialintelligence replaces the operator 7 entirely, the actions (movements,expressions and reactions) of the personage 6 are carried on in apredetermined manner, according to pre-established scenarios. Theactions of the user are no longer followed in real-time by an operatorwho is a physical personage. They are analyzed, particularly by means ofa voice recognition module.

The operator 7 is shown alone in FIG. 1. The use of several operators,particularly grouped in one or more call centers, does not depart fromthe invention.

If it is at all necessary, the present description can be summed up byrecalling that the technical means according to the invention make itpossible:

-   -   for the operator:    -   to see and hear the user, and consequently to converse with him        in real-time,    -   to display still or animated images which will meet the        expectations expressed by the user,    -   to animate the virtual personage so that he behaves like a human        being according to the situations encountered,    -   for the user:    -   to see and hear the operator, represented graphically by the        virtual personage and to converse with him in real-time,    -   to see the still or animated images which responds to the needs        he has expressed.

The process according to the invention permits the creation of aconversation between users and a virtual personage in 3D by usingtelephone or data processing means of communication to carry the datanecessary for the operation of the process, particularly those whichmake it possible for the virtual personage to compute, control anddisplay the said virtual personage on a viewscreen in a simultaneousmanner and independently of other still or animated displays. Theoperations of computing, controlling and displaying are controlled inreal-time by one or more physical personages.

According to the wishes expressed by the user or the objectives assignedto the virtual personage, the operator starts the display of images(still or animated). According to another embodiment, the starting up ofthe system and the display of the still or animated images can beperformed by the user's initiative.

1. Interactive method of communicating information to users over acommunications network, each user having a computer connected to saidcommunications network, comprising the steps of: broadcasting, via saidcommunications network, data enabling said computers to display orprocess images to be viewed by users, said images comprising at leastone of the following: still images, animated images or screen pages;broadcasting, via said communications network, data enabling saidcomputers to process and display at least one virtual objectsuperimposed on said images; animating said at least one virtual objecton a computer associated with a user by a human operator; remotelycontrolling and animating said at least one virtual object in real-time,simultaneously and independently from said images by said human operatorto provide said at least one virtual object with graphic and vocalexpressions including animation of lips and eyes, intonations,inflections, reactions of said at least one virtual object to actions,needs, and expectations of said user, thereby providing personalizedinteractions with said user; and selectively assisting said humanoperator by artificial intelligence which can replace said humanoperator entirely or partially, said artificial intelligence controllingactions of said at least one virtual object in a predetermined manneraccording to pre-established scenarios and analyzing the actions of saiduser by means of a voice recognition module.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: capturing an audiovisual sequence ofsaid user; and transmitting said audiovisual sequence to said operatorvia said communications network, thereby enabling said human operator toobserve said user and analyze user's behavior.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: capturing questions asked by said user;and transmitting to said operator said questions asked by said user viasaid communications network, thereby enabling said human operator tohear said user and analyze user's behavior.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: capturing voice data issued by saidhuman operator and intended for said user; and transmitting to said usersaid voice data issued by said human operator via said, communicationsnetwork, thereby enabling said user to listen to information supplied bysaid human operator.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising thestep of transmitting a copy of said images to said human operator, viasaid communications network, thereby enabling said human operator toprocess said images viewed by said user.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of connecting said human operator to atleast one database containing multimedia information, wherein saidmultimedia information comprises at least one of the following: text,images, sound, videos, or 3D animation sequences, thereby enabling saidhuman operator to answer user's questions and transmit information tosaid user.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofdisplaying said at least one virtual object in the form of a stylizedgraphic personage in three dimensions.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe step of remotely controlling and animating comprises the step ofanimating said graphic personage to symbolize product, a service, abrand, a business or an association for which said graphic personageperforms the service of informing, promoting or selling.
 9. The methodof claim 7, wherein the step of remotely controlling and animatingcomprises the step of animating said graphic personage with graphicexpressions including animation of the lips and eyes and with vocalexpressions including intonations, said graphic and vocal expressionsexpressing reactions of said graphic personage to actions, needs andexpectations of said user.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the stepof remotely controlling and animating shifts said graphic personage onsaid images, varies size, shape and color of said graphic personage, andprovides said graphic personage with gestures including movements ofhead, arms and legs based on zones of said images and contextualrelationship between said user and said human operator on whose behalfsaid graphic personage acts.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thestep of remotely controlling and animating comprises the step of addingaccessories according to the development of said contextualrelationship; and wherein said accessories are used by said humanoperator to shift and vary said graphic personage, and provide saidgraphic personage with expressions and gestures.
 12. The method of claim10, wherein the step of remotely controlling and animating comprises thestep of animating said graphic personage to activate action areas ofsaid images.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of remotelycontrolling and animating controls and animates said at least onevirtual object by said human operator situated in a call center or saidhuman operator's home.
 14. An interactive system for communicating datato users over a communications network, comprising; a plurality ofcomputers connected to said communications network, each computer havinga control device and being associated with a user; a first serverconnected to said communications network, said first server distributingdata enabling said computers to display or process images, said imagescomprising at least one of the following: still images, animated imagesor screen pages; a second server connected to said communicationsnetwork, said second server distributing data enabling said computers toprocess at least one virtual object; and a control computer connected tosaid communications network and associated with said second server; andwherein said at least one virtual object is activated on a computerassociated with a user by said human operator of said control computer;wherein each of said computers comprises visualization means fordisplaying said images and said at least one virtual object superimposedon said images; wherein said control computer is operable by said humanoperator to remotely control in real-time said at least one virtualobject on said computer associated with said user by said humanoperator; wherein said images and said at least one virtual object areanimated simultaneously and independently by said first server and saidcontrol computer, respectively, to provide said at least one virtualobject with graphic and vocal expressions including animation of lipsand eyes, intonations, inflections, reactions of said at least onevirtual object to actions, needs, and expectations of said user, therebyproviding personalized interactions with said user; and wherein saidhuman operator is selectively assisted by artificial intelligence whichcan replace said human operator entirely of partially, said artificialintelligence controlling the actions of said at least one virtual objectin a predetermined manner according to pre-established scenarios andanalyzing the actions of said user by means of a voice recognitionmodule.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a cameraconnected to said computer associated with said user for capturing anaudiovisual sequence from said user; and wherein said computerassociated wit said user is operable to transmit said audiovisualsequence to said control computer over the said communications network;and wherein said control computer is operable to display said audiovisual sequence to enable said human operator to observe said user andanalyze user's behavior.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprisinga microphone connected to said computer associated with said user forcapturing questions asked by said user; and wherein said computerassociated said user is operable to transmit said questions to saidcontrol computer over said communications network; and wherein saidcontrol computer comprises a speaker to enable said human operator tohear said questions.
 17. The system of claim 14, further comprising amicrophone connected to said control computer for capturing voice dataissued by said human operator and intended for said user; and whereinsaid computer is operable to transmit said voice data to said computerassociated with said user over said communications network; and whereinsaid computer associated with said user comprises a speaker to enablesaid user to hear said voice data issued by said human operator.
 18. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein said computer associated with said user isoperable to transmit a copy of said images viewed by said user to saidcontrol computer over said communications network; and wherein saidcontrol computer is operable to display said images, thereby enablingsaid human operator to scan and animate said images viewed by said user.19. The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one databaseconnected to said control computer containing multimedia data, saidmultimedia data comprising at least one of the following: text, images,sound, videos, or 3D animation sequences, thereby enabling said humanoperator to respond to questions posed by said user and transmitinformation to said user.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein at leastone virtual object appears in the form of a stylized graphic personagein three dimensions.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein said personagesymbolizes a product, a service, a trademark, a business or a collectivefor which said personage performs the service of informing, promoting orselling.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein said personage is animatedwit graphic expressions including animations of the lips and eyes andvocal expressions including intonations; and wherein said graphical andvocal expressions are controlled and produced by said human operator viasaid control computer, and express reactions of said personage tocomportment, needs and expectations of said user.
 23. The system ofclaim 20, wherein said personage controlled by said human operator ismobile on said images, varies in size, shape and colors, and gestureswith head, arm and leg movements based on zones of said images andcontextual relationships between said user and said human operator onwhose behalf said personage acts.
 24. The system of claim 23, whereinsaid personage comprises accessories for providing expressions andgestures to said personage, and moving and shifting said personage bysaid human operator according to the development of said contextualrelationship.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein said personagecomprises activation means to activate zones of said images by saidhuman operator.
 26. The system of claim 14, wherein said controlcomputer is situated in a call center said human operator's home.